What to Ask a Psychedelic Retreat Before You Pay the Deposit

Choosing a psychedelic retreat is not something you should decide based only on beautiful photos, testimonials, or a promise of transformation. Before you send a deposit, you should feel comfortable asking questions, especially questions about screening, facilitation, safety, support, and what happens if something doesn’t go as planned. A responsible retreat provider should welcome those questions.

What Should You Ask the Retreat Provider?

About the facilitator

• Who will actually be facilitating my psychedelic session?
• What training and experience does the facilitator have?
• Will the same person be involved in my preparation, session, and integration?
• How many guests will the facilitator be responsible for during the retreat?
• Will someone be physically present with me throughout the psychedelic experience?

About screening

• Do you have a screening process before accepting guests?
• What happens if someone is determined not to be a suitable candidate?
• Do you ever turn people away?
• What information will I need to provide before I am accepted?

A particularly important question is: “What would make you say no to someone?” If a retreat tells you that everyone is a good candidate, or that screening isn’t really necessary, that should make you pause.

About the experience itself

• What medicine or psychedelic substance do you work with?
• How is the dose determined?
• What happens if I become overwhelmed or frightened during the experience?
• Am I expected to participate in anything I don’t feel comfortable doing?
• What does the facilitator do if the experience becomes psychologically or physically difficult?

About safety

• Is there someone trained to respond to a medical emergency?
• What happens if I need medical attention?
• Are there specific medications or health conditions that would prevent participation?

About integration and aftercare

• What happens after my psychedelic session?
• Is integration included in the program?
• Who will I speak with afterward?
• Is there support once I return home?
• What happens if I experience difficult emotions or unexpected effects after the retreat?

About the money

Before paying a deposit, ask:

• Exactly what does my deposit cover?
• What is included in the retreat price?
• What is not included?
• What is the cancellation and refund policy?
• What happens if I am screened and determined not to be a suitable candidate?
• Are there additional costs I should know about?

You should never feel pressured to pay before you understand what you are agreeing to.

What Do I Ask on the First Call?

The first call with me is not designed to be an interrogation or a complete medical history. It is a discovery conversation. I want to understand the person sitting across from me before we talk about anything further. I usually start with a simple question: “What brings you here?”

Then:

• What are you hoping to work with?
• What are you hoping to gain from this experience?
• What made you consider a psychedelic retreat at this point in your life?
• What are you looking for from the experience and from the retreat?
• Is there anything you would like me to know about what you’re going through right now?

And then, importantly, I answer their questions.

The first call is an opportunity for the guest to understand who I am, how I work, what the retreat looks like, what the process involves, and whether this feels like the right environment for them. The formal screening process comes after that. That distinction matters.

The first call is about connection, questions, expectations, and fit.

Screening is about determining whether participation is appropriate and safe.

I don’t want someone to feel that they have to convince me that they are a good candidate. My responsibility is to determine whether I can responsibly work with them, and sometimes the answer may be no.

What Should You Ask Yourself After the Call?

After the call, don’t just ask:

“Did I like this retreat?”

Ask:

“Did I feel safe asking difficult questions?”

A responsible provider should not be offended by your questions. They should be prepared to answer them.